Zyra is a third year student in the high school department of Columban College, Olongapo City.

I often wondered why things have to be the way they are; why there are those people born with a silver spoon while others endure their downtrodden lives.  Why?  And so I continued upon my search until I came upon with this word that could offer an answer: Mission.

True enough, each one of us has our aim or goal in life.  Furthermore, I believe that even before we are born, God has already delegated a mission.  This mission does not only inscribe itself in serving God and Jesus Christ but the human race as well.

There are those soldiers who would defend and fight for their country as their end zone, doctors who would cure, care for, and continue to serve the ill, mothers who take care of their family, fathers who work assiduously to support their loved ones and children who bring smiles and laughter to each other.

Evidently, everybody has his mission but I personally believe that the greatest mission is serving God as we call upon only Him.  That is why we have people who join Christian organizations such as the Children of Mary, church choirs, youth ministry and even the altar ministry.  Some choose to be missionaries, becoming nuns and priests.  But only a few choose to serve God.  Most people perceive serving God as faking the priesthood, but it’s not. The truth is even we, kids, can serve Him.  Reading the Bible and sharing its inspiring stories: how Christ lived His life, how His disciples served the ordinary people by curing and bringing them closer to the Almighty, those stories that could trigger even the toughest heart and get them working their way to help the underprivileged.

With all these, I remember a story from my aunt.  Let me share it with you.

Some years back, back when she was still very young, she had a very kind neighbor named Lisa.  Lisa grew up in a very affluent family.  They owned numerous businesses and even a hacienda.  She was an only child that left her much taken care of.  She got everything she wanted but even so, she felt lonely.  Her parents were too aloof.  They did not treat their employees well and she didn’t want to be like them.  So, she prayed hard everyday that God with His omnipotence would make her parents good.

When she was little, she would go to school and no one would speak to her.  She had no friends. That was how even her classmates reacted to her parents’ attitude towards others.  At night before she could even go to sleep, she’d remember all this and cry.  But still her little heart wouldn’t lose hope.  Her faith in God told her that everything would be better soon.

As time passed by, Lisa’s intelligence emerged and she decided to put this great gift into use by helping her classmates understand their lessons.  Moreover, when Lisa saw that her classmates didn’t have food during recess for lack of money, she shared hers.  With all her nice doings, the time came when people finally saw her difference and they liked her.  And so, she gained friends.  Happy and enthusiastic she became!

One day, she invited some of her friends to her house.  Everyone was having fun.  Until her parents arrived.  Her friends politely greeted the house owners but the two just gave them an eye. 

When Lisa’s friends went home, her parents talked to her that they didn’t want her seeing those ‘peasants’ again.  She said yes but never meant to follow.  She remained friends with these ‘peasants’ and grew up each day as a good being.

 Time just flew and now the little girl was a teenager.  She refused to be like her parents, treating people kindly and with respect.  She even tried talking to her mom and dad that they should be good to their maids and workers but they didn’t listen.

A few more years and now she’s a college student.  The day was filled with much celebration and that was the last celebration they had as a family.  Two months quickly went by and her parents got into a car accident.  The car crashed into a tree and both died instantly.

She was completely distraught but still she stood steadfastly pulling strength from her unfailing faith. She learned that everything from the land to the business was to be named to her after her parents’ death.  This did not make her any happier but if it was of any consolation, this opened her eyes to the mission she was to take part in in this life:  to help the oppressed and impart what she had to the needy.

She increased the compensation of their workers and treated them well.  Being a doctor, she decided to volunteer with the Red Cross and gave free consultations and check-ups to those folks who couldn’t afford professionals.  She spearheaded feeding programs and sent less fortunate children to school.  With all these she didn’t find herself a husband and was living her life helping the poor and serving God.

Clearly, mission is an aim in life arising from a conviction or sense of calling.  And life has so much to offer that you just get a hold on and find your purpose.  Finally, God has every reason for your existence in this magnificent world.  You just have to believe that you are His beautiful creation and you have the power to change and inscribe your name in this great realm.